Albert Bierstadt (1830-1902), Sunset Over the Plains or Deer in a Sunset Landscape, oil on canvas, 21.5 x 29 inches
Peter Stremmel is preparing for his big day at the rostrum for the Coeur d’Alene Art Auction, where 300 pieces of Western and sporting art will be auctioned in five hours. It can get a little hectic, but Stremmel has been auctioneering for about 40 years and encouraging Coeur d’Alene bidders for 26 years.
Averaging an item a minute, he will control the bidders on the floor as well as absentee telephone and Internet bidders across the country and from as far away as Russia, England and Germany. Between 500 and 600 people are expected to attend the prestigious sale at noon Saturday at the Silver Legacy Resort Casino. About one-third will be local. The auction is the largest of its sort in the country.
“It’s very satisfying,” said Stremmel, one of three partners in the event. “There’s a lot of psychology involved.” Most importantly, Stremmel said he must be informed about all of the pieces and their presale estimates, which range from $3,000 to $1.2 million. To read more by Geralda Miller, RGJ, click here.